Nanostructured Graphene Oxide Membranes for PFAS Removal from Water

This thesis investigates the removal of PFAS and co-existing contaminants from water. A beta-cyclodextrin-modified graphene oxide (GO-βCD) nanofiltration membrane is designed with nanochannels that remove PFAS effectively. The membrane achieves high PFAS retention (>90%) while allowing water to pass efficiently, even under challenging conditions with dissolved ions and organic matter. It outperforms current commercial membranes and works in real groundwater at high water recovery. This work demonstrates that tailoring membrane chemistry at the nanoscale can create robust, scalable solutions for safe drinking water and industrial PFAS treatment, offering practical environmental benefits.